Realizing record-high output power in flexible gelatin/GTA-KCl-FeCN4−/3− ionic thermoelectric cells enabled by extending the working temperature range

Li，Yuchen1; Li，Qikai1; Zhang，Xinbo1; Zhang，Jiajia1; Wang，Shuaihua1; Lai，Liuqin1; Zhu，Kang1; Liu，Weishu1,2

2022

10.1039/d2ee02792e

Energy & Environmental Science   Impact Factor & Quartile

1754-5692

1754-5706

Quasi-solid-state ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) cells have attracted increasing interest due to their high thermopower and easy solution processability for flexible and wearable thermoelectric devices. However, many i-TE gels have drawbacks of a narrow working temperature range (ΔT) and low power density. In this study, we introduced glutaraldehyde into the gelatin-KCl-FeCN matrix, forming strong covalent bonds and interconnected porous structures, which significantly improve ΔT from 9 °C to 23 °C. The formed gelatin/GTA polymer network increases the entropy difference between the redox couples of FeCN, thereby enhancing its thermopower. For the first time, a high thermopower of 24.7 mV K, a record-high power density of 9.6 mW m K and a 2 h energy density (E) of 198 J m are achieved simultaneously in a quasi-solid-state i-TE cell. The i-TE cell exhibits good cycling performance in long-term power generation, corresponding to an average E value of 175 J m after the whole cycling process. A flexible and wearable device consisting of 16 i-TE cells can generate a high voltage of 3.6 V and an output power of 115 μW by harvesting body heat. This work provides a general route to increase the working temperature range and output power density of gel-based i-TE cells through a molecular-level approach.

SCI

English

First ; Corresponding

Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program[2016ZT06G587] ; Shenzhen Science Technology Fund[KYDPT20181011104007] ; Shenzhen Innovation Program for Distinguished Young Scholars[RCJC20210706091949018]

Chemistry ; Energy & Fuels ; Engineering ; Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary ; Energy & Fuels ; Engineering, Chemical ; Environmental Sciences

WOS:000888890300001

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY

2-s2.0-85142735802

Scopus

1.Department of Materials Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,Guangdong 518055,China
2.Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Novel Electronic Information Materials and Devices,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,Guangdong 518055,China

Li，Yuchen,Li，Qikai,Zhang，Xinbo,et al. Realizing record-high output power in flexible gelatin/GTA-KCl-FeCN4−/3− ionic thermoelectric cells enabled by extending the working temperature range[J]. Energy & Environmental Science,2022.

Li，Yuchen.,Li，Qikai.,Zhang，Xinbo.,Zhang，Jiajia.,Wang，Shuaihua.,...&Liu，Weishu.(2022).Realizing record-high output power in flexible gelatin/GTA-KCl-FeCN4−/3− ionic thermoelectric cells enabled by extending the working temperature range.Energy & Environmental Science.

Li，Yuchen,et al."Realizing record-high output power in flexible gelatin/GTA-KCl-FeCN4−/3− ionic thermoelectric cells enabled by extending the working temperature range".Energy & Environmental Science (2022).